Jab Done

Yesterday afternoon I drove myself down to the designated local hospital to have the first Pfvizer jab.  (So far so good, no side effects, except a very slightly sore upper left arm)

Who should I encounter at the entrance but fellow LDNorthEast board member, and volunteer Mr Treasurer.  It was so nice to speak to him in the flesh rather than via Zoom.

We washed our hands at the twin basins installed in the entrance to the maternity wing and followed the arrows on the floor to the Covid Hub where we picked up the consent form, information leaflet and hospital grade facemask, and made our way to the end of the socially distanced queue.  Like everyone else we occupied ourselves reading the leaflet and filling in the form (remember to take a pen when it’s your turn) as we slowly progressed the corridoor.

I was pleasantly interrupted by an “Eee Hellooah, fancy seeing you here”; the old Geordie greeting on unexpectedly meeting an old friend.

It was one of my co-knit’n’natter volunteers, a lovely lady, a retired nurse like Middlesister, on her way to the end of the queue.  What with Ferretfingers’ ankle and her shielding I don’t think we’d seen each other for a twelvemonth.

Naturally as I reached the door of the Hub my mobile crowed: yet another Virgin callcentre girl wanting to make me a special offer. 

“No, I can’t talk now, I’m waiting in line for a Covid vaccine” is not the usual reason for ringing off but it may become more common.

The clerk checked my name and date of birth on her computer and Mr Treasurer and I were told to sit.  After a few minutes he was sent to sit outside one nurse’s room, and then I to another.   

Before long my nurse came for me.

The paperwork was done and

“Just a sharp scratch”

“Oh!”

“All done.”

“My! That was quick!  It was even more painless than the flu jab!”

Then I was sent to the 15minute sitting room, the way pointed out by smiling staff.

Mr Treasure was already there with two empty seats near him. A few minutes later 

Mrs Knit arrived and we sat and nattered until it was time to go home.

Everyone leaving the room scrupulously wiped their chairs, which I found quite touching.

On our way out we met the lovely LDNE lady who organises Ferretfingers’ respite weekends, and the activities organiser, on their way in.  Who would have thought it would be a red letter day to speak to four people outside your household, in the real world?  Even if you were all wearing facemasks and keeping six feet away from each other..

Chatting over the day in bed I told Fester how well organised it was, how pleasant all the staff, and how lovely it had been to see real people.

His comment …

“Well at least you got a trip out today, which is good.”

I'm That Old #2

Because I’m both a carer and a volunteer there are kind people trying to get me pushed up the queue for vaccination against this present unpleasantness.

During his telephoned annual review, Ferretfingers’ Enablement Officer commented “As an autistic adult’s carer you’re saving us an absolute fortune, we can’t afford to have you off the squad.”

Early last week one of the ladies at LDNE phoned and asked for my National Health number to put in their paperwork. I put on my glasses, opened the filing cabinet, dug out the file marked “Marriage Lines, Birth/Death Certificates, NHS Numbers” and, much to my surprise found the envelope containing my card almost immediately.

It dated from when I moved to my current GP thirty years ago.

 

I started reading out the number “M for mother” but was interrupted with a startled

“M!  Are you sure that’s not a National Insurance number?”

“Yes.  This is a 1956 National Health number.  I’m that old we’re lucky it doesn’t start with an A.”

 

Thanks to their efforts I am having the jab in a local hospital this afternoon.

I’ll keep you posted if there are any interesting developments (God willing).

Fed Up By Fester's Flu

From Facebook archives ...

24 January 2018 at 11:49 ·

"Is there not a recipe for cassoulet in Delia?"

My middle-class question of the day.

😒feeling fed up.24 January 2018 at 22:57 

Half way through this afternoon Fester had a fit of uncontrollable shivering that went on for nearly an hour.

Got him covered with duvet, quilt and crochet quilt and 2 hot water bottles because he was so cold. 

His temperature is now elevated and I've persuaded him to have a bath while I remake the bed, as I think both will help him be more comfortable. 

He's not eaten much since breakfast but has had a couple of pints of blackcurrant & apple cordial (ersatz Ribena). 

Will give him Beechams powders or Lemsip when he gets back to bed.
Both boys are worried by this.    

Especially Thunderthighs who is a complete catastrophist.
"Is he going to die like Uncle Stephen?"*
"No Uncle Stephen dropped dead suddenly of a heart attack."
"So has Dad had a heart attack?"
"Not that I know of, he's probably got a virus."
Could really do without this

Mrs Leftfoot Hope he's feeling better soon..

Bentonbag Not as much as I do.   

He's a grumpy bastard at the best of times!  

Only person I know to swear at bits of string, socks, bathwater not running in hot enough.   

The least he can do is stay healthy and not worry the sh*t out of me.

Erica Take care.  Tomorrow’s another day.

Sandy get well soon Fester

Mrs Lasagne It’s sounds like flue Ben , lots of fluids to drink ,if he’s shivering probably his temperature was elevated , when it’s very high this is what happens , paracetamol and neurofen together act quickly to reduce temperature !get well soon Fester , I hope you feel better today xxx

Paganess Hope he's not too grumpy. If he's got a temperature Paracetamol and cool him down; no blankets, if it doesn't come down with that spange him with tepid water. I recommend eat plugs if this becomes necessary

Bentonbag Who will need the eat plugs when I'm spangeing him? Him or me?

Bentonbag He's had some porridge (made with milk) with jam in and a cup of tea and is now snoring.

P H Poor you. Sounds like he's likely to survive. I hope you do too. ❤

Mrs Mobilephone It’s always worrying with something like those symptoms. Hope you can manage give me a ring if you need help? Love xx

 

*RIP June 2012

This Time Last Year

This is what I wrote on Facebook exactly a year ago today.

Famous Last Words or Tempting Fate?

23 January 2020 at 13:38 ·

This week, so far, I've managed 3 three mile walks: on Monday into town to get Thunderthigh's jeans' zip replaced; on Tuesday down to and back from the People's Theatre to see Dial M for Murder; and today to and from Forest Hall to put my small Ernie winnings into the bank and check out the charity shops.

My route took me through St Bartholemew's church yard.   The church was open so I popped in.   The two ladies (Ann and Anne) minding the church invited me to have a look around or light a candle.  Sitting in the front pew I realised that, for the first time in years, there was no one I needed to light a candle for.   This time last year I was waiting for cancer to claim Paula*; candles were lit for her many times and in many places, but no more.   Thinking of my friends and family, no, there is nobody with any specific need I know of. 

We have come through storms and cataracts, and I know that there will be more rapids and waterfalls ahead (and who knows how soon), but for the moment there is calm.   

I can stop paddling like hell, lay across the oars and enjoy the view for a while.

And I am grateful for it.

 

Post Script

That “and who knows how soon” haunts me a little.

But not as much as what one of the Ann/es said when I commented I had no-one special to pray for:  “Pray for our country.”

Psychic Clara, as my mother used to say.

It was two weeks before Ferretfingers broke his ankle, about four before this present unpleasantness began in earnest and nine before I started trying to do a daily lockdown blog.

 

*RIP February 2019

Mood! What Mood?

From Facebook archives ...

22 January 2016 at 10:34

I go to the GP with my poorly knee. I have a damn good idea what the problem is and what he'll say, but I want it on my notes for future reference and some advice. 

As expected he says "Wear and tear, beginning of osteoarthritis ... use painkillers and rubs when necessary ... here's a sheet of knee exercises ... what about your weight?"

So I explain: I've been fighting my weight since I was 12; my husband does the cooking; he is very good at it but believes fat=flavour; and I possibly comfort eat because of the situation of having an autistic son (a reason not an excuse)

"Oh, how is your mood?  Carers typically put themselves last.  You must look after yourself. 

Fill in this mood form and come back and have a chat with one of us about counselling."

AAAARRRGGGHHHH

I know he was only being on the ball and kind, but for goodness sake!

Bess Cavalier Try a desert spoon of good quality cider vinegar and a desert spoon of honey dissolved in a mug of hot water - it's supposed to be good for the joints.  I learnt about at a Farmers' Market in Glastontbury a few years ago (their cider vinegar was the best I've tasted).   

The leaflet from the Farners' Market recommended taking this 3-4 time a day, but I generally only manage 1 cup a day, but am convinced it helps.

Bess Cavalier That should be dessert spoon! No idea how big a 'desert' spoon would be ...

 

Duck Soup

From Facebook archives ...

21 January 2010 at 19:04 ·

Homemade duck soup followed by a third of a half-price raspberry pavlova Fester got from Iceland means I feel really stuffed and not in the mood for dance practice.

Ms Tylebach oooooooo you have some fine dining dontcha? mmmmm duck soup I mean...never even thought of it...sounds lush xxx

Bentonbag It is.  Fester is the chef.  The Grainger Market in Newcastle has some good food stalls, including a game one.  He got the duck there (going cheap not quack) and instead of roasting it (we have a very fast oven) broiled it.  We had some of the meat as Sunday dinner.  Then he boiled up all the skin and bones in the broiling water to get a really good stock.  Soaked lentils, potatoes, carrots, leek/onion and swede - ie what was getting old in the veg rack.  I think parsnip would have been god too if we'd had any.

Strawangel Oooooh, delish! I thought the game stall at the Grainger had gone Ben?
Good to know it's back (or had never gone in the first place)!

Bentonbag They moved during the refurbishment.  They no longer sell game in the fur or feather so you won't see the rabbits etc hanging up any more.  It's a shame as Fester likes to pluck a pheasant occasionally.

Strawangel I haven't been to the town for yonks.......will have to have a trip up. Thanks

Ms Exlibris So you're a pheasant pluckers wife??? (well co-habitee or whatever you like to be called - either way he is still a pheasant plucker....and I wish I had never started this now!!)

Bentonbag As my sister-in-law once said (she was sober at the time):-

I'm not the pheasant plucker
I'm the pheasant pluckers's mate,
I'm only plucking pheasants
'Cos the pheasant plucker's late

He Did It Again!

 From Facebook archives ...

20 January 2011 at 16:34

Fester came to Lidl with me this morning.   

On my own I progress in a systematic and stately manner up and down the aisles picking up what I need when I see it.   

Impatiens has to rush across the cross aisles whenever anything catches his eye.   

Today it was bananas.

"Do we need bananas?"

"Yes, but I'll pick them up when we get there."

Nothing doing: he has to shove and push around the corner of the stand to reach for the bananas.

Now above the fruit and veg stall Lidl has hung a great big prices sign; 10ft long by 3ft high about an inch thick, of mdf and almost precisely 5ft 7inches above the ground, but well set back from all the edges of the stall.

Does Fester see it?

Do bears shit etc...?

Cracks his head right on the bottom corner edge and comes away with a bleeding L shaped cut, and eventually a lump.

The damn thing was still swinging minutes later.

When we got to the till I asked for the manager and showed him Fester's forehead - not for compensation just as a health'n'safety issue.  He's reporting it to his area manager this afternoon.

Honestly - the man has 3 degrees and can't be taken out without a tin hat on!

FifiD Mine would be Snicker bars, family size.

Miss Fiddle As soon as I saw the words "hung" and "sign" I knew what had happened ... now you know what to get him for Christmas/birthday!